Grave markers might seem like a strange subject, but for some, they are the catalyst for an interesting – and sometimes time-consuming – hobby. You might be thinking, “Who would want to spend hour upon hour, day after day, weekends, and vacation time in a graveyard?” But those who have taken up the hobby of researching genealogy, or cataloging grave markers and cemeteries, will tell you that it can be a lot of fun, and rewarding, too. Some cemeteries are even haunted, adding more interest, and at others famous people are buried there. Some cemetaries are simply so beautiful, with historical, beautiful statuary and interesting grave markers, that hobbysts simply enjoy spending time there as they would at a museum. So how does one go about exploring grave markers?

Some people search for markers of one particular variety. For example, if someone is interested in bronze grave markers, he might spend his time searching only for these. Jim Davenport is one such person, traveling throughout the West in search of markers that bear the Woodmen of the World symbol. Others search for nothing but cast-iron grave markers, or Confederate, iron-cross grave markers over Southern soldiers who fought in the War Between the States. Some of these markers are so rare or valuable that grave robbers steal just the markers. If you see it happening, be brave enough to report it. But be careful; on rare occasions, family members pull the smaller markers off to have them cleaned or taken home temporarily to protect against theft.

Some of the most interesting reading you’ll ever find will be seen on grave markers. Sometimes it is written elegantly, in long poem format, and other times it is a few memorable adjectives scratched on a rock. Do you remember the movie “Castaway,” when Tom Hanks scratched an epitaph on the rock for the crewmember of the FedEx plane who washed up on shore? The epitaphs on some tombstones are similar.

As a matter of fact, R.I.P. came from the need to say something as an epitaph for someone. Due to time restraints and sometimes the coin to pay for letters on a marker, early westerners in the late 1800s used the three initials as a short form of “Rest in Peace.” At other times epitaphs are engraved on the most expensive marble known to man. The inscription at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has been constantly guarded since 1937, reads: "Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known But to God."

Those who want to record or catalogue interesting or historical epitaphs use journals, chalk rubbings, or take photos. (See below for additional tips on photographing often-tricky grave markings.)

Visits to cemeteries can also be pleasant excursions if only to enjoy the grounds.

Some cemeteries are absolutely beautiful, full of green grass, flowers, and majestic trees with Spanish moss hanging like long beards standing watch over the dead. Monuments, fountains and winding paths grace many cemeteries. It can simply be fun to explore these quiet, serene places. The Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia, is one of the most lovely and enchanting cemeteries in America. So beautiful, in fact, that it was featured in the movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Another beautiful, modern cemetery is Hillside Cemetery, in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. The Hillside has beautiful flowers, shrubs, trees, water, and rolling slopes; it is truly a serene setting in which to lay loved ones to rest.

To find beautiful or historical cemetaries to visit, the Internet is a great place to start searching. Many cemeteries are not marked on maps or in books, especially family cemeteries. Other places to search include county plot maps, which will include forgotten cemeteries; long-time town residents who might share locations; and historical listings in cities, large and small, which often list markers. Check local church cemeteries, too. Just be sure to get permission to use the cemeteries, including photographing the markers.

If you decide to get into a hobby of finding various grave markers, or if you simply use them from time to time for genealogical study, there are some tips to remember:

* Dress for the occasion. You will be outdoors, so check the weather and dress appropriately. Also consider what type of cemetery you will be visiting. A perpetual-care cemetery will be kept clean, with properly-cut grass, but a family cemetery, or an “unknown” cemetery, may be full of thickets, briars, weeds, spiders, and all sorts of creepy, crawly creatures.

* Learn how to keep records. Use a journal and follow the tips of regular grave hunters and how they record their findings. Learn to use a compass, a plot map, measuring equipment, and techniques for recording information you find on markers. You can take paper and pencil or chalk to make rubbings of interesting epitaphs.

* Use a camera. Know what time of day you will get the best light in a cemetery for taking pictures. The most important tip is to never use a flash head-on toward the stone; the flash will fill in all of the normal shadows from the letters, washing out the wording and Tmaking it hard to read. Use the natural light, and go during the time of day when the sun hits the markers at an angle or the sides. Some researchers take their photos on a moonless night with a 35 mm camera that can use a manual shutter release. Set the camera on a tripod with a flashlight held off to the side, pointing it toward the tombstone so that shadows fall across the lettering. When it comes time to take the picture, use a strobe flash in place of the flashlight. The photo will give you the best means of reading the stone. This works especially well with old, worn markers. Other photos can be taken of the gravesites during the day, to provide the overall picture of the stones.

* Check with the county historical society to confirm any information you find. The curator, or keeper of the records, will be happy to help you find records of people you are researching. Don’t be shy about asking for help; that is why he or she is there!

* Check the obituary records at the local library.

* Use genealogical research tools and forums. Someone else has probably been searching for the same person you have been cataloging. You can help them, and they can help you.

Looking for grave markers can be addicting. Whether you begin by simply researching genealogy, cataloging interesting grave markers and epitaphs, or simply strolling beautiful grounds to search for famous people buried there, you can become as wrapped up as if you were spending the day in a museum. If you really plan to get involved seriously, make sure it’s with the agreement of your spouse or relationship partner. A great deal of time and money can be invested in this hobby, but with a good computer, some genealogical software and a desire to delve into the past, you just may be writing the first book of your family’s history, including Grandpa James, the black sheep of the family.

Are You A Family History Detective?As a child, did you pester your mother with family history questions about who was married to whom or how many siblings your great-grandfather had? Are you still intrigued by your family ancestry? Have you ever considered creating a family tree using the family genealogy? If you are about to research family history, you should know several important facts. Take this quiz and discover just how prepared you are to embark on this new journey.